September 7 through 13

After five months retrograde Pluto turns direct in Sagittarius at the Galactic Core of the Milky Way on Friday. After six weeks retrograde, Venus, ruler of the NYSE, faces forward in Leo on Saturday. On Sunday, as the Virgo sun opposes Uranus, the planet thatll break through a solid defense, the 2007 NFL season begins. Were in the do nothing dark of the moon phase until Tuesday when the Virgo new moon, a partial solar eclipse, inaugurates a new lunar cycle.

After you get a clearer picture of what you hope to achieve, look for an opportunity to use the intelligence the discerning Virgo sun directs your way for whatever purposes you choose. Move quickly, this infusion of concentrated mental acuity wont last long. Come the equinox youre likely to be more interested in a charismatic personality youve aligned with, not in the task at hand. If that ball is dropped, wholl chase after it? Another distraction: after a slow summer, romantic Venus schedules pleasurable times with a loved one.

Back to square one? The odyssey youve been on since your Venus ruler started its six-week retrogression is over. Now that youre a little older, yet so much wiser about a long-standing relationship, decide whether you can, in good conscience, move forward or if theres still more history to rehash. Take the Virgo new moon on the 11th as your target date; it marks the beginning of a month-long involvement in the things that you most enjoy: romance, recreation and other risky ventures that make your heart beat faster.

You can practically feel the tension building as the perfectionist Virgo sun illuminates assorted branches of your family tree. Even though this seems to occur every September, because irritable and irritating Mars is currently in Gemini, youre more likely to take offense at any suggestion thats made. Knowing up front how volatile an honest discussion may become should serve as a safety valve. But chances are by the time the sun moves into Libra on the 23rd, you will have blown you top more than once.

Dont bother starting anything new until the Virgo new moon on 9/11 delivers its entire message. Although this lunation is a partial eclipse, i.e., things may remain hidden, the Moon Child will soon figure out what you need to discover and more importantly, what you need to share, with whom you should share it and with whom you shouldnt. No matter how adept you think you are, treat this September as a course in honing your communication skills. Isnt it time to trade in your ride? Update electronic equipment? Touch base with a sibling?

It can go either way. While the sun, your ruling orb, opposes erratic Uranus theres no telling what the cosmos has in store. A shock to your system, an unexpected windfall or a sudden spending spree? Since the sun is in your Virgo house of values and assets, a considerable amount of money could be involved. Now that style-conscious Venus is facing forward, after six sleepy, probably sloppy weeks retrograde in Leo, the goddess makes it easy to pay attention once more to your appearance, popularity and self-esteem.

The breakthrough youve been anticipating is scheduled to arrive around the time the Virgo sun confronts innovative Uranus in Pisces this weekend. Or perhaps itll happen when the sun challenges risk-taking Mars in your career midheaven on the 17th. Maybe youll stew in your own juices until the sun tests Plutos power to renovate a tired room in the house or to rescue a wretched soul in your extended family. The clarion call to action is louder than its been in a long time. Nevertheless, caution is still required.

Theres an appreciable amount of drama surrounding the people that youre currently around. However, none of their problems need to involve you if youd rather they didnt. Its possible to maintain your cool, to stay detached while the Virgo sun is in your twelfth house, the area of your solar chart that deals with cosmic consciousness and karmic payback, matters that are basically out of your hands. Better for everyone concerned if you focus on the good times coming up now that your sociable Venus ruler is moving forward.

After five months retrograde, your Pluto co-ruler turns direct in your Sagittarius house of money earned. If your income stream has been relatively stagnant since April, the change of direction could introduce a fresh source. And, because the Virgo sun provokes Pluto mid-month, this can happen sooner rather than later. The same hold true for a financial matter involving other people, e.g., an insurance policy or inheritance. Thats because the sun tests impulsive Mars, your other ruling planet, at the same time. Cha-ching.

Grab a Gemini and a Pisces and hide out from a hyper-critical employer. The Virgo sun is on the warpath, preparing to challenge you and your allies when you least expect it. Even a laid-back family member cant avoid the scrutiny of the Virgins microscope. Centaurs have lived through the annual September offensive before, but this year, while energetic Mars is in your partnership house and your enthusiastic Jupiter ruler is at home in yours, is different. Too much optimism to let go unchecked? Taking good luck for granted?

Despite it being a partial solar eclipse, the Virgo new moon on 9/11 marks the start of a long cycle of smarts. You might even see evidence of your intelligence at work before summer officially ends. The Virgo sun is about to challenge your relationship with a headstrong co-worker at the same time that it intensifies a neighbors odd behavior. Anger and nuttiness are in the air, and while you know you dont have to fix either problem by yourself, more likely than not, itll be you who thinks up the solutions that work.

No matter how you were affected by Venus being retrograde in your Leo marriage house, be grateful that its almost over. The goddess slow, steady slog through the history of your partnership should have shown you some of the more subtle way you interact as well as recalling the memorable pleasures you share. Venus facing forward implies that hope springs eternal. But first you might have to reexamine a joint money matter that the picky Virgo sun is insisting you and an amenable partner dont slough off.

Pisces is in a similar risky position as Sagittarius and Gemini, your mutable brethren, are. While the know it all Virgo sun picks at the quirkiness of the Fish, Sol is simultaneously aggravating a domestic or real estate matter as well as drawing attention to your place in the community. Scandal, slander? No place to run to, no place to hide? The classic Pisces response would be to escape through drink, drugs and denial. But thats old school, and youve graduated. Not much to do but ride this storm out.